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By Shamseer Jaleel
Defending league champions Kandy should have yet another easy encounter when they meet the Sri Lankan Air Force for the second home match this weekend.
Kandy have already beat CH&FC, Police and Army and should expect things to work according to plan for an easy bonus point win at Nittawela.
Kandy’s three-quarter line looks to be in great form. Dhanushka Ranjan, Anurudha Wilwara, Richard Dharmapala and Fazil Marija have produced champagne rugby and will pose a major threat on offense through numerous try-scoring opportunities. Their forwards Sayuru Anthony, Yakoob Ali and Ashan Darling will also chip in with support also coming from pack leader Buwanka Udangamuwa.
Kandy is missing the services of Shehan Pathirana who was suspended for four matches due to an accidental stamping. Though Kandy SC appealed the decision one week ago, the inquiry is yet to take place. Kandy fullback Thilina Wijesinghe was not up to the mark in their last game with his kicking duties and he missed out on more than one kick. He will be expected to have a better day in the field. Air Force, who recorded their win against the Cops, will be expecting a lot from their Number 8 Radheesha Seneviratne, who is displaying a super brand of rugby after crossing over from the cops this season. Iddamalgoda’s kicking will be crucial if the visitors want to attack and stay in contention in the game. Going according to form Kandy should have things their own way for a bonus point and continue to lead the league for yet another week.
CH will be hosting Havelocks today at the racecourse rugby grounds, which should yield a close affair. CH&FC bounced back in the league with a good win over CR&FC and will be expecting their playmaker Lee Keegal, Sathya Ranathunge, Sajith Saranga and Yoshitha Rajapaksa to display the high quality rugby they produced against the Red Shirts last week.
Their placekicker Samuel Maduwantha, after having his position changed from fullback to fly-half by his coach Laga, proved to be the deciding factor. For Havelocks they had a disappointing week, losing out to Navy, and will be expecting their playmakers Kevin Dixon, Sharo Fernando and Hirantha Perera to perform to their top level. Reza Mubarak’s penalty kicks and touch kicks will be vital as his counterpart Maduwantha is in great nick. CH holds a slight edge over the park club due to the recent win.
Both Army and CR will play in an important clash and a win for both teams is vital if they are to stay in contention for the league title. CR will be led by Tharinda Ratwatte, and will be depending on Reza Rafaideen and their young blood to produce the firepower. They will miss out on their regular skipper Kavindu Perera who will sit out due to a suspension. Army will stake their chances on Gayan Salinda, Abeykoon and Asoka Jayalal to pull this one off. CR holds a slight edge here.
Navy should have things their own way when they lock horns with the cops. Dhanushka Perera, Thilina Weerasinghe, Pushpakumara and Dinusha Chathuranga are top-class players. Police will need to defend for most of the game. The sailors should pull this one off with a bonus point win.
November 24
CH vs. Havelocks Racecourse
November 25
Kandy SC vs. Air Force Nittawela
Navy vs. Police Welisara
CR vs. Army Longdon Place
By Shamser Jaleel
Former Isipathana, CR& FC and current Kandy and Sri Lanka player Vishwamithra Jayasinghe, who was banned for two years for assaulting Assistant Referee Mohamed Ashraff at a Mercantile Sevens rugby tournament, saw his suspension reduced to five months.
This will see the standout winger available for Kandy and national selection from 24 December. Jayasinghe will be allowed to train and represent Kandy from the second round onwards.
Jayasinghe was slapped with a two-year band by the disciplinary committee of Sri Lanka Rugby headed by SSP Ibrahim Hameed soon after the Mercantile Rugby Sevens. Later Jayasinghe’s appeal was considered by the Appeal Board headed by former Trinity and Havelocks player Y.C. Chang, Brig. Japuna Jayawardena and Neil Wijeratne. Vishwamithra was informed through a letter signed by Sri Lanka Rugby Secretary Nazeem Mohamed about the sanction being reduced by the Appeal Board.
